Leitz focomat 1c

[ChrisP08]

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I just picked up a Leitz format 1c this past weekend for my home darkroom. Could anyone tell me what this numbered knob is for? I've only used a Beseler 23c iii so this is new to me. 

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[maxspbr]

The Ic is a wonderful enlargement! It’s a pleasure to use it.

The piece you’re asking about is to indicate degrees of enlargement. 2x, 3x… 10x (them an image projected of 24x36cm). It must be linked with the head of enlarger. When you change the position of it the piece will show the new enlargement rate. 
 

from a 1950s folder on Ficomat:

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Edited December 28, 2023 by maxspbr
A photo!

[M.Hilo]

On 12/28/2023 at 11:36 AM, maxspbr said:

The piece you’re asking about is to indicate degrees of enlargement. 2x, 3x… 10x (them an image projected of 24x36cm). It must be linked with the head of enlarger. When you change the position of it the piece will show the new enlargement rate. 

Yes, as maxspbr says, this is an illuminated scale giving indications of the enlargement. It should switch on when you switch on the enlarger, either to set the negative and the size, or when you expose. You have an early Ic with this scale on the baseboard. There should be a cloth ribbon wound around the round part on the right of the scale  which should be attached to a clip hanging from the parallelogram. This system is often broken or missing, but don't worry as you can well do without it. The later Focomats have the scale, when present, directly attached to the parallelogram.

I never use it, but I like it as an orientation point when I expose. My darkroom lights switch off when exposing and this dim light helps me see in the dark. It needs socalled signal bulbs. I know many people who print with the Ic or the IIc, not many use this indicator.
 

 

 

[ChrisP08]

Thank you both for answering my question! Happy New Year.